MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: kiwipete on February 09, 2012, 04:26:00 PM
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I have been watching the Trackabout thread for sometime and it is starting to get a little off track i.e. It is very sad to see Trackabout go (Hopefully it won't and someone will pick the name up and it would be even better if they were Australian) But what seems to be happening in that thread is that there are some negative comments around imports particularly Chinese imports because "it was partly due to Chinese imports that Trackabout has gotten into trouble". Now don't get me wrong I buy Aussie made every chance I get and I really hate Chinese gear, however I also have debt that most would dig a hole crawl inside and pay a Chinaman to fill it in.... So because of that I have to be a little careful where I spend the $'s and sometimes regretfully a Chinaman profits....
Now the frightening thing is that because of these comments that are being posted I have been reading on one forum in particular that a person which has a Chinese tent on a Aussie trailer is a tad worried about being ridiculed when camping... Could you just imagine that ???? You go camping and a Trackabout owner sets up next to you.. ???? Tough.... :( hmmmmm
I recently met some really lovely people who I think will become great friends that happen to have a Chinese camper, You know what? they saw ours and our friends Trackabout and they were tossing up as to which to upgrade to both of course 100% Aussie CT's
Step back have a think about all the imported products you have in your home and then make a Judgement.... Not everyone has $15k+ to spend on an Aussie camper and in many posts on this forum I have read are of people supporting those that buy cheaper Chinese CT by saying things like "Doesn't matter what you get as long as get gets you out there" Now does that still stand true with the demise of Trackabout???? Finally how many of those Chinese CT owners would have actually bought a Trackabout anyway? or for that matter any other Aussie built CT, maybe they wouldn't today but when they see the advantages of a superior Aussie built camper their next upgrade could have been a Trackabout just as I mentioned earlier....
BTW I hope all you people that have not yet purchased your Camper trailer or all those that have a Chinese Camper wake up to yourselves save a little more, Buy Aussie CT's and believe us you will not regret it... :)
Anyway my 2 bobs worth... I have said enough the kids are starving and the mrs will be home soon from work, I gotta get that diner on or I am in for it :) ... Now any cred I had just went bye bye :)
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I think the closing of Trackabout has been a big shock to everyone and yes it is quite upsetting - even to me that doesn't have one. I think we all know deep down that these things happen, but when it happens 'close to home' so to speak the frustrations run a little bit higher.
I totally agree with your post, but I am sure, and would hope, that at a Meet that everyone would just be enjoying eachother's comapny, no matter what they towed getting there. Cripes how many of us drive a locally made Ford or Holden to the Meets??
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Little bit over these posts by now, but only replying because of your comments:
So because of that I have to be a little careful where I spend the $'s and sometimes regretfully a Chinaman profits....
all those that have a Chinese Camper wake up to yourselves save a little more, Buy Aussie CT's and believe us you will not regret it... :)
So it's ok for you to send money o/s but not for others to be careful with their money?
Sorry, confused by your post Kiwipete.
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What I think he implies is that what we buy sometimes is made in china. This could be clothing, electrical gear etc where there is no Aussie product the same.
I agree about over these posts , time to move forward.
Mark
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This is getting tiresome.
What I cant understand is, how does one of Australia's most popular camper trailer manufacturing business with service that others are compared too, close its doors due to the GFC & Chinese imports? You would think all the lesser known Aust Camper manufacturers would go under way before Trackabout...... ??? ??? ??? I still cant believe it :'(
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Pass the popcorn....this thread's gonna become a doozy!!
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And on & on & on it goes...hypocritcial snobish posts'
Our 1st CT was an import - so I found out later. Didn't know from nothing when we bought it, hadn't researched CT's.
You know what? Even if I/we had've researched them, the likes of Trackabout just would've left me dreaming as I bought an import, just the same as I dream of buying a lamborghini, but own an X-Trail. But reality & finances dictate a much more realistic purchase!
I had fun in our import, & it got me back into camping with the bonus of the minister finally enjoying camping. Even though we now own a different CT that best suits our needs, I miss our import, & will always miss it because of the good memories I have.
Our current CT is Aussie made, but when (if) it's time for her to go, we will buy something that's more fitting our reality & finances...even if that means it'll be an import!
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I wonder if anyone has compared posts from this thread to the ARB thread where we are talking about buying an Aussie made product from an O/S supplier to save a dollar and we are all for it, in this thread its totally opposite.......................
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Yep........... Obviously we need to support Aussie business............ and maybe that Chinese made camper is the perfect catalyst to allow you to hit the road, travel this wonderful country and support 1000's of Aussie Local Businesses......everyone from Joe Bloggs Van Park, to ol'mate selling tomatoes on the road side................ just a thought.
Just imagine how many less people would be out spending money travelling Aus, if they were still saving to buy the Aussie Made CT??
As for me there is no way i'll be buying an Import CT......... i'd rather have none than an import unit....but thats my choice...... but lets not knock a bloke for buying what he can afford....... i know oneday i'll get a new Aus made CT...... for others the $5000 they spend on an import is probably the absolute upper limit of the budget........
Anyway lets all just look after one another as best we can..............
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Just thinking outside the square.....Aren't the Chinese campers made from Australian Iron Ore we export???
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Yep........... Obviously we need to support Aussie business............ and maybe that Chinese made camper is the perfect catalyst to allow you to hit the road, travel this wonderful country and support 1000's of Aussie Local Businesses......everyone from Joe Bloggs Van Park, to ol'mate selling tomatoes on the road side................ just a thought.
Just imagine how many less people would be out spending money travelling Aus, if they were still saving to buy the Aussie Made CT??
As for me there is no way i'll be buying an Import CT......... i'd rather have none than an import unit....but thats my choice...... but lets not knock a bloke for buying what he can afford....... i know oneday i'll get a new Aus made CT...... for others the $5000 they spend on an import is probably the absolute upper limit of the budget........
Anyway lets all just look after one another as best we can.............. :cheers:
Well said :cheers:
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My wifes an import.Doesnt leak,good springs,hitches up well and goes the distance.........
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Or maybe there is a massive over supply of CT manufacturers in Australia all competing for the same price bracket in the market.
To me anything over $5000 for basically a trailer, a tent and a decent mattress is not likely to end up in my drive way.
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Buy Aussie
Hey Kiwipete........ tell me?......... Where do the Kiwi Fruit you eat come from?????......... I'm hoping they are Aussie grown Kiwi Fruit ???............. ;D :laugh: ;D :laugh:
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My wifes an import.Doesnt leak,good springs,hitches up well and goes the distance.........
My wifes only part import....... part Aboriginal, part Chinese and part Pom......... she's living proof that there was a bit of partying going on back in the old gold rush days here in Aus!! :cheers:
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Lets get one thing clear......
It's not just buying to a budget that makes people like "Me" and many many more on this forum buy chinese imports, my trailer is local, but the top is 100% imported, Why did i buy chinese,,,??
Simple,, 3 grand sitting unused in my driveway does not worry me.!
17 grand Does.!
sure, i can go out and spend 17 or what ever they run at... i have the money, i pay cash for everything just about. no, i'm not braging,
but spending 3 grand to do the same job makes more sence to me, and it WILL do the same job, it will and does keep me dry and warm, and also keeps the sun of my bald head
Will it last as long as local made.? dont know,,, do you.?..
But if it Shites itself tomorrow, (4 years old now) i dont care, i'll go buy another one.
As far as John goes (Trackabout) i feel for him, but its not just the imported CT's that took him down...............
rant over
BHG
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My wifes an import.Doesnt leak,good springs,hitches up well and goes the distance.........
LFMAO... she's obviously not on Myswag... or you're a dead man walking.
Nothing worse than a leaking wife.
LJ
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Yep........... Obviously we need to support Aussie business............ and maybe that Chinese made camper is the perfect catalyst to allow you to hit the road, travel this wonderful country and support 1000's of Aussie Local Businesses......everyone from Joe Bloggs Van Park, to ol'mate selling tomatoes on the road side................ just a thought.
Just imagine how many less people would be out spending money travelling Aus, if they were still saving to buy the Aussie Made CT??
As for me there is no way I'll be buying an Import CT......... I'd rather have none than an import unit....but that's my choice...... but lets not knock a bloke for buying what he can afford....... i know oneday I'll get a new Aus made CT...... for others the $5000 they spend on an import is probably the absolute upper limit of the budget........
Anyway lets all just look after one another as best we can..............
Mate I agree 100% with the first part of your post, however the second bit implies that imports are cheep. Some times they are, but people buy them because they see better value in them, not just because they are cheep. There are plenty of imported campers and pop tops creeping into the market that are $40k plus, look at the ones now coming in from South Africa. These may be well beyond your budget also. They are still imports and Aussie dollars go oversea's.
It is a global market and at the end of the day with the high Aussie dollar some businesses suffer and consumers have more choice. Each to their own. I certainly wont be looking down my nose at someone who is out enjoying the great Aussie lifestyle if they have a Chinese import camper.
Regards
Jas
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Hi Pete
Understand what you are saying though I really doubt anyone gives a rats what you are using to camp with.
What I dont get is why we are happy to pay good $$ for inferior products. (me included so not pointing the finger)
We live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world but seem so obsessed with consuming. Hang on, better get me soap box........ we seem to have been conditioned to buy crap. Something our fathers would probably shake their heads at. Like the $2 shops and the shiploads and crap at b*nnings.
Buy it, use it, throw it away. Even the argument that some use saying if they didnt buy that cheap chinese camper they couldnt afford a ct is rubbish. There are fantastic second hand units that are the same price only built to last. Maybe everyone wants new for some reason. I dont get it.
I think we will all lose in the end when crap is all we can get here.
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Strewth this thread is steamrolling..................
Of course I have to go to bunnings to get some imported merbau to built my soapbox, so I'll just jump right on the "chinese"bandwagon instead........... ;D >:D >:D >:D
My wife is built locally and works just fine!!!
I'm the import and from most of my posts you'll see I'm screwed.................. :'( :-[ :'( :-[
Perhaps this post rings true then?????
Nah just kidding, but it is interesting to see peoples views on the subject.
Also going back to the original post above, I think most people would agree that budget plays a crucial role in the decision, but perhaps as a lot of posters are implying, we should "try"to buy locally when we can and with the assumption that is is going to be cost effective.
I guess just keep it the back of your mind to buy local if you can.
With the global availability of importing these days you could argue any point.
Jayco are made in Mexico Victoria (the great land of speewa's and dropbears) but where do they get there parts?
Other view, ok parts may be imported but jobs are local and profit is local.
Economics is a very passionate subject to some............and points of view are very different.
I just reckon we should keep it in our minds and do what we can when we can. Eg. If a comparable product at a comparable price is available, try to take the Aussie one.
Crap............Now I'm rambling, this wagons got too much momentum. ???
Down to the nitty gritty......
Is 6 B&S made locally? and is it cheaper to get the chinese brand?
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
SORRY...........
Gotta go get the glamper ready, heading to Barrington tommorrow.
Brian
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I wonder if anyone has compared posts from this thread to the ARB thread where we are talking about buying an Aussie made product from an O/S supplier to save a dollar and we are all for it, in this thread its totally opposite.......................
Forgive me if i'm wrong, but isn't the ARB post about buying a product OS that has been exported from australia in the first place and they are cheaper to import back?
Regards scott
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Forgive me if i'm wrong, but isn't the ARB post about buying a product OS that has been exported from australia in the first place and they are cheaper to import back?
Regards scott
YES
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I bought my chinese camper trailer because my business was / is in the midst of the GFC.
At the time I didn't know f all about camper trailers or this forum. All I knew was when I bought was that I was sick of setting up a sh$tty old tent off the back of a sh$tty old box trailer. We decided to camp more because we wanted our kids to see more of Oz and be outside. So I bought a Chinese camper.
If you think I am going to roll over and feel inferior for that you are totally wrong. And because of my Chinese camper one day I will probably (will) buy a high quality probably Australian made hardfloor for Renee and I to travel around OZ in.
In any event. I go camping heaps more and our kids have played in some of the loveliest country and beaches this country has to offer. Our next trip is to go and stay at Bargara and see the turtles hatch and after that we are dragging our Chinese camper out to Blackall to spend time at the out laws and do our first semi desert trip. Neither of which we probably wouldn't have done if we didn't have our Chinese camper.
I have bought more stuff than I would have by buying my Chinese camper. I have bought a ****eload of stuff to mod the trailer from local suppliers and internet suppliers and suppliers from here, and I spend dollars in the local communities that we visit and travel through.
So I am sick of hearing about the invasion of the Chinese CT. FFS I don't own an Australian built 4WD and Renee's Holden was built in Europe. But no one makes a comment about them.
As mentioned a global market. If a Chinese person walks into your business and asks to buy / build / invest in something that you supply do you say no?
I am glad its Friday tomorrow.
8)
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When I started this little Mandrake's concern 80 watt Solar panels were $1100 to $1200 each with the initials BP on them - Hmmm wait a minute BP isn't that British Petroleum ?? ( Now Beyond Petroleum ) obviously an Aussie company - ;D ;D - So why did everyone support BP same scenario money went O/S and we kept on buying BP panels - Kyocera - now that's Aussie for sure !! - Suntech - yep OK ..
Now 80 watt panels are $240 - $320 each and the profit stays here in my pocket -- Thanks !!
I also have a Chinese produced CT - Cost me $9500 .. Could have bought it myself from the Chinese manufacturer for $5000 USD .. But didn't so $4000 has stayed in Australia supporting a local business that puts Chinese campers together ... Hooray for Capitalism ...
Cheers
Steve - Running to the bunker !!
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Maybe Chinese campers and the GFC were partly to blame.
But you need to read Rae's post in the other thread as it mentions a third contributing factor.
And that would be the ATO - I don't want to see this turn into a public servant bashing episode but Rae mentioned that the ATO were chasing a tax debt. This was brought on through business practice, GFC and other less publicised issues you would assume.
I know from experience that the ATO are waaaaaaay more sensitive to major business tax debt since the GFC. Especially if they think that they can recover the debt from the sale of the business. And from a business perspective Trackabout would be a very salable asset.
Now as much as I'd like to say blame Julia G lady the crazy ranga ho bag - that's probably not correct. But add JT's health to the above factors and it was probably easier from the families perspective to not have the fight as the real cost of that fight, ie JT's health and the families stability, was too much to pay.
My 2c
Cheers
Nick
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I have a dream.....
A dream that all camper trailers should be free, free to live in harmony. Chinese, Australian, South African and dare I say Kiwi. Hard floor, soft floor, those weird looking pod ones and pseudo caravans. Come on, put your awnings around each other and join couplings and sing in the ways of our forefathers when out in the Australian country.
Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty we are free at last.
Now where did I leave my beer?
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I have a dream.....
A dream that all camper trailers should be free, free to live in harmony. Chinese, Australian, South African and dare I say Kiwi. Hard floor, soft floor, those weird looking pod ones and pseudo caravans. Come on, put your awnings around each other and join couplings and sing in the ways of our forefathers when out in the Australian country.
Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty we are free at last.
Now where did I leave my beer?
:cup:
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I have a dream.....
A dream that all camper trailers should be free, free to live in harmony. Chinese, Australian, South African and dare I say Kiwi. Hard floor, soft floor, those weird looking pod ones and pseudo caravans. Come on, put your awnings around each other and join couplings and sing in the ways of our forefathers when out in the Australian country.
Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty we are free at last.
Now where did I leave my beer?
X 2 :cheers:
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I have a dream.....
A dream that all camper trailers should be free, free to live in harmony. Chinese, Australian, South African and dare I say Kiwi. Hard floor, soft floor, those weird looking pod ones and pseudo caravans. Come on, put your awnings around each other and join couplings and sing in the ways of our forefathers when out in the Australian country.
Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty we are free at last.
Now where did I leave my beer?
Hahaha................ farkin perfect!!!!
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Should we blame all the tightarses that build their own campers as well?
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those weird looking pod ones
WTF YOU TALKIN' ABOUT MOFO? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
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I have a dream.....
A dream that all camper trailers should be free, free to live in harmony. Chinese, Australian, South African and dare I say Kiwi. Hard floor, soft floor, those weird looking pod ones and pseudo caravans. Come on, put your awnings around each other and join couplings and sing in the ways of our forefathers when out in the Australian country.
Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty we are free at last.
Now where did I leave my beer?
Ummmm, sounds like a different nation sang like that!
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At the end of the day...as long as the buyer is buying from a company that will be around to provide customer service is the main thing.
You can buy Chinese campers from reputable companies and you can also buy them from a 'fly by night' backyard provider off eBay.
If buying Chinese...make sure the company has been around for a while and is reputable.
Cheers
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Maybe Chinese campers and the GFC were partly to blame.
But you need to read Rae's post in the other thread as it mentions a third contributing factor.
And that would be the ATO - I don't want to see this turn into a public servant bashing episode but Rae mentioned that the ATO were chasing a tax debt. This was brought on through business practice, GFC and other less publicised issues you would assume.
I know from experience that the ATO are waaaaaaay more sensitive to major business tax debt since the GFC. Especially if they think that they can recover the debt from the sale of the business. And from a business perspective Trackabout would be a very salable asset.
Now as much as I'd like to say blame Julia G lady the crazy ranga ho bag - that's probably not correct. But add JT's health to the above factors and it was probably easier from the families perspective to not have the fight as the real cost of that fight, ie JT's health and the families stability, was too much to pay.
My 2c
Cheers
Nick
Yep. Where I work went through administration last year. The business owed over 1.3 million dollars in taxes. We are lucky that the business was able to pay its way out but we had to go into a Deed of agreement contract with a payment plan to the ATO.
They were ruthless (I would too if I was owed over 1 million) however it wasn't because of the GFC or imports it was because of greedy directors thinking they could make the ATO wait for the taxes to be paid as in years gone past.
As you could imagine it was embarrassing for the directors as every meeting with the ATO and the administrator included all creditors and employees as a public forum were every detail was discussed about both the company accounts and the accounts of the directors, as to why the debt had not been paid as they had more than enough money to pay the debt.
There has now been extreme changes to the way they do things.
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I bought an Xtrail trailer after a long search as it suited my budget and it was made of Aus steel and completely fabricated in Melbourne where I could watch it being made. The tent is chinese and is great quality but in buying that I feel it is only a small part of the furchase and if I needed to could change it at any time, but dont need to.
I am interested in what signifies chinese built and Australian made as there is a percentage of both is most campertrailers.
In my opinion there are too many campertailer manufacturers in Australia as seen by my search when buying mine so the market has to give at some time especially in these poor economic times.
Trevor
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Now the frightening thing is that because of these comments that are being posted I have been reading on one forum in particular that a person which has a Chinese tent on a Aussie trailer is a tad worried about being ridiculed when camping...
That's just sad, if it's actually true. Come on people - does it really matter that much?
Sure, I like to buy Aus as much as the next person, and I like to support Aus businesses. I like to support local businesses - I'd rather buy a camper from QLD than from NSW, and I'd rather buy one in Cairns than from Brisbane. Doesn't mean I am ready to start lynching Brisbane folk (New South Welshmen are fair game though).
Can we not have our own values and live our lives aligned to them, whilst at the same time accepting other people's values and decisions in their lives? Just because someone makes a different choice doesn't make them wrong - it makes them human. It'd be bloody boring if everyone was the same as me (I am, you see, an incredibly boring person). I don't need to justify my decisions, my values, or my life to anyone else, nor do I expect them to need to justify theirs to me.
If you go and buy a Jayco, I might feel sorry for you in your deluded state, but I'll be happy for you if you're happy.
Paul has hit it on the head - let's all have a drink (iced tea for those who choose that), chill out and enjoy what brings us together, rather than what makes us separate.
Cheers,
Philosopher Matto :)
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I have a dream.....
A dream that all camper trailers should be free, free to live in harmony. Chinese, Australian, South African and dare I say Kiwi. Hard floor, soft floor, those weird looking pod ones and pseudo caravans. Come on, put your awnings around each other and join couplings and sing in the ways of our forefathers when out in the Australian country.
Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty we are free at last.
Now where did I leave my beer?
"GROUP HUG BY ALL CAMPERTRAILERS"
Forget the owners, they are tied up in politics :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
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Now the frightening thing is that because of these comments that are being posted I have been reading on one forum in particular that a person which has a Chinese tent on a Aussie trailer is a tad worried about being ridiculed when camping...
Anybody that believes that would happen or even considers taking it serious should be sterilized.
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I have a dream.....
A dream that all camper trailers should be free, free to live in harmony. Chinese, Australian, South African and dare I say Kiwi. Hard floor, soft floor, those weird looking pod ones and pseudo caravans. Come on, put your awnings around each other and join couplings and sing in the ways of our forefathers when out in the Australian country.
Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty we are free at last.
Now where did I leave my beer?
This is the only good post I've read on this topic ;D Come on people buy what ever you want to buy you don't have to keep up with the Jones if your happy with what you got who cares :cheers:
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Anybody that believes that would happen or even considers taking it serious should be sterilized.
It does happen, not that I would actually care. I know I get trailer envy when at places and admire the rigs and sometimes people get a bit snooty about the whole thing, "oh u only have a blah blah...they are mainly tossers though and wouldnt talk to them again.
I wasnt going to say anything as I do feel for Johnny but as others have mentioned we do now live in a global economy and this is good and bad. Good as people are getting things cheaper and a lot more opportunities overseas for aust companies etc but bad as australian manufacturing in particularly cannot compete with overseas companies particuarly on price...there will be more of it to come in the future unfortunantly.
I try to buy aussie made and I even avoid large supermarkets as I prefer to shop local but there are a lot of times, when you just cant justify spending the extra $ based upon a philosophical position, particularly when you got bills, mortgagte and mouths to feed.
There is no right or wrong in it and people will generally (overall) go for the best price. Historically people may have avoided Chinese (as we are using them as an example) as the products were considered as a lower quality but that is not now the case. As nearly everything is built in China, they are now focusing on low cost but of higher quality..car manufacturers have been playing this game for a very long time....you get in with low price and the quality is the same, over time you can then maintain low price but make better quality... Toyota, Honda, Hyundai etc...Australia needs to learn from this.
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....you get in with low price and the quality is the same, over time you can then maintain low price but make better quality... Toyota, Honda, Hyundai etc...Australia needs to learn from this.
Spot on - remember these? My father had a go faster red one new in 1966.
Who woulda thought then that theyd make a V8 Supercar?
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I have a dream.....
A dream that all camper trailers should be free, free to live in harmony. Chinese, Australian, South African and dare I say Kiwi. Hard floor, soft floor, those weird looking pod ones and pseudo caravans. Come on, put your awnings around each other and join couplings and sing in the ways of our forefathers when out in the Australian country.
Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty we are free at last.
Now where did I leave my beer?
x2 :)
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I may be showing my age here but wasnt the same arguments happening with products from Taiwan in the 70's !!!!
BTW I would take a import car over a Aussie made Holden, Ford, Mitsubutsi etc anyday
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I have a dream.....
A dream that all camper trailers should be free, free to live in harmony. Chinese, Australian, South African and dare I say Kiwi. Hard floor, soft floor, those weird looking pod ones and pseudo caravans. Come on, put your awnings around each other and join couplings and sing in the ways of our forefathers when out in the Australian country.
Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty we are free at last.
Now where did I leave my beer?
Bloody oath. I have an Aussie made trailer made right here in Melbourne, with an imported tent. That doesn't bother me, if it bothers someone else then so be it. We all have views and opinions and are all entitled to them.
Sometimes with discussions like this one tho, it can be easy to lose sight of why we are all here in the first place.....
So let's just raise our VB's or Tsingtao's, whatever your taste may be, and toast the fact that we all just love getting out there and exploring this beautiful country, whatever you may use to do it. :cheers:
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Wake up to myself?????????? Thats a bit harsh is'nt it? At the moment all i can afford is a chinese import, im sorry about that. . . . . .
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Wake up to myself?????????? Thats a bit harsh is'nt it? At the moment all i can afford is a chinese import, im sorry about that. . . . . .
x2 on that
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BTW I hope all you people that have not yet purchased your Camper trailer or all those that have a Chinese Camper wake up to yourselves save a little more, Buy Aussie CT's and believe us you will not regret it... :)
You should consider rephrasing "believe us" to " believe me". Doesn't seem to me that everyone on MySwag agrees as your comment suggests....
I own a full import..... If people don't like it then they can stick it in their pipe and wake up to themselves.
I would rant on about being new to the forum and if this is common place then delete my account, but clearly (hopefully) this is not the case.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Jayco are made in Mexico Victoria
Brian
now here is a company with chinese build quality.
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now here is a company with chinese build quality.
Really, thanks for your input. You are kicking goals with your posts. Wish there was an eye rolling emoticon... Keep digging.
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Really, thanks for your input. You are kicking goals with your posts. Wish there was an eye rolling emoticon... Keep digging.
You'll find them by clicking on the [more] link under the cheesy and grin emoticon.
::)
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I really don't give a stuff where people get their gear, so long as we can all enjoy a :cheers: or 10 around a fire in the greatest backyard on earth.
just my 2c.
:cheers: Cracka
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^^^ x 2
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I have a dream.....
A dream that all camper trailers should be free, free to live in harmony. Chinese, Australian, South African and dare I say Kiwi. Hard floor, soft floor, those weird looking pod ones and pseudo caravans. Come on, put your awnings around each other and join couplings and sing in the ways of our forefathers when out in the Australian country.
Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty we are free at last.
Now where did I leave my beer?
Thanks to Paul for being one of "we" campers who just don't give a flying fig where your camper trailer came from as long as you are happy and camping.
How many products are 100% Australian Owned, 100% Made and 100% Retailed by Australians, using 100% Austrailan products actually 100% made here in Australia these days? Click HERE (http://ausbuy.com.au/) or HERE (http://www.australianmade.com.au/consumer-site/) to find some at least that fit into the 'Owned & Made' category (but only if they have filled in the paperwork and been passed).
I suggest you support someone local by buying off them Aussie products where able. If it's not 100% Australian, then perhaps the salesman was, and I'm sure you were happy to help support them.
Kit_e
Typed on a Japanese computer using a connection owned by a company in Singapore ... but both sold to me by Australians.
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I have a dream.....
A dream that all camper trailers should be free, free to live in harmony. Chinese, Australian, South African and dare I say Kiwi. Hard floor, soft floor, those weird looking pod ones and pseudo caravans. Come on, put your awnings around each other and join couplings and sing in the ways of our forefathers when out in the Australian country.
Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty we are free at last.
Now where did I leave my beer?
Thats it.
Group hug for all
:cheers:
Rod.....
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Thanks to Paul for being one of "we" campers who just don't give a flying fig where your camper trailer came from as long as you are happy and camping.
How many products are 100% Australian Owned, 100% Made and 100% Retailed by Australians, using 100% Austrailan products actually 100% made here in Australia these days? Click HERE (http://ausbuy.com.au/) or HERE (http://www.australianmade.com.au/consumer-site/) to find some at least that fit into the 'Owned & Made' category (but only if they have filled in the paperwork and been passed).
I suggest you support someone local by buying off them Aussie products where able. If it's not 100% Australian, then perhaps the salesman was, and I'm sure you were happy to help support them.
Kit_e
Typed on a Japanese computer using a connection owned by a company in Singapore ... but both sold to me by Australians.
I like your style Kit_E :D :cup:
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90% of cars are imported, same with food.
Tvs and white goods are imported. Mos machinery is imported, iPad, iPhones etc are made in china.
I work with imported goods and ok sometimes the quality is not so good, it is getting better and the Chinese are learning. Once they understand, I know things will change!
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Almost everything is imported these days. Pretty hard to avoid. I was reading in the paper the other day, that even Mexico can't compete against China.
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We bought a chinese tent on an aussie trailer and, not knowing that it was inferior, had a great time in it.
After some time on this forum we bought a great aussie made product when finances permitted.
However I would never look down on anyone with an import, as long as they're having a good time.
Regards
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How many of you buy Coca-Cola, Heinz, Golden Circle, eat McDonalds, KFC, Hungry Jacks, buy Toyota cars, Mitsubishi, Nissan...where do you think the profits from these businesses go, it most certainly doesn't wholly stay within Australia. How many of you fly Qantas, it's not wholly Australian owned, check out their annual report and see who some of the 20 largest shareholders are. What matters is that they all employ Australians.
The point is, does it matter, no. Do you get what you paid for, yes. However, sometimes the cheapy product is just as good, and sometimes it's better. I prefer Woolworths branded tomato sauce over the heinz version for instance.
My CT was made overseas, is it the best quality, probably not. But does it allow me to get my family outdoors and camping, the answer is hell yes. AND that is all that matters. It is a means to an ends. I looked at Trackabout's products, but my budget just wouldn't stretch that far. I emailed JT about prices etc, and was thinking of upgrading in a few years. My CT was a trailer and tent, put together by Aussie's, will be maintained by Aussies, is insured with a firm that uses Aussies, and I go camping in places that also employ Aussies. If I only had the choice of buying Aussie made, then I wouldn't own a CT, and all those other people I have mentioned wouldn't have my business and that could affect them.
We talk about supporting Australian made, what about supporting locally made. How many people in NSW for instance own a Trackabout when there are perfectly good CT manufacturers in your state, such as Redback Campers, Complete Campsite etc. My point being, we all have our own reasons for our purchase decisions. Let's not knock people for one reason or another. We're all here to chat camping, and CTs, who really cares where your product comes from?
Cheers
Grant
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As they say "the truth is somewhere in the middle".
If we buy too many chinese CTs then we will kill off all the local manufacturers. No one wants this.
But to sell more the local manufacturers need to innovate AND get more productive. Too many australian campers cost more new than people can afford to spend on cars.
mike
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This thread realy concerns me, as do most in the import Vs Aus Made camper chats.
As an import owner, in know they have their flaws. As im sure 90% of the Aus made campers. Humans are involved so there will always be something to fix/play with.
I hate reading through these threads and it turns into a personal attack, which Always seems to happen and whole mines better than yours...
Its hard to see a fellow forum member facing some hard times, unfortunatly with cheap labor/imports its hard for Aus manufacturing to match.
We need to think before we enguage our mouths sometimes.....
kiwipete i was going to make a referance about your comment re
BTW I hope all you people that have not yet purchased your Camper trailer or all those that have a Chinese Camper wake up to yourselves save a little more, Buy Aussie CT's and believe us you will not regret it...
with a name like kiwipete, are you imported?? ;D
Cheers
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We like to buy Australian made when we can, however we had just as much fun in our $3,000 Chinese Job as we do in our $30,000 Aussie made camper. In fact we had a few more quality issues with the import than the new one, generally minor things like leaks and loose or bent screws.
OK, so maybe SWMBO enjoys the posh new camper more than I do. As long as I can sit around the fire and have a drink I'm happy and I don't feel the need to look down on someone with an import.
Enjoy
Regards
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OK, so maybe SWMBO enjoys the posh new camper more than I do. As long as I can sit around the fire and have a drink I'm happy and I don't feel the need to look down on someone with an import.
Here Here!!!
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And of course, lets not forget them aussie companies that save money by taking production off-shore!
It's okay for them to save production costs, pay less taxes & any other benefits they get through going off-shore. Then they have the audacity to winge & bleat about aussie's buying overseas!
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Hi Pete
Understand what you are saying though I really doubt anyone gives a rats what you are using to camp with.
What I dont get is why we are happy to pay good $$ for inferior products. (me included so not pointing the finger)
We live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world but seem so obsessed with consuming. Hang on, better get me soap box........ we seem to have been conditioned to buy crap. Something our fathers would probably shake their heads at. Like the $2 shops and the shiploads and crap at b*nnings.
Buy it, use it, throw it away. Even the argument that some use saying if they didnt buy that cheap chinese camper they couldnt afford a ct is rubbish. There are fantastic second hand units that are the same price only built to last. Maybe everyone wants new for some reason. I dont get it.
I think we will all lose in the end when crap is all we can get here.
Hey Dazzler the line about people buying chinese because they couldnt afford anything is true for some people. late last yr we were looking to buy our first camper. spent alot of time emailing both JT and lifestyle about one of their trailers. we were relying on the bank and refinancing our house. the bank turned us down so the only option open to us was ebay on the ccard. we didnt have the funds to extend any further so we bought chinese. we are happy with our trailer, would we prefer a trackie, yes, but that option wasnt available to us.
we all have our reasons but at the end of the day we buy what we can afford and we get out there.
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There is big change in society in the last few years towards consumerism. Lots of people want new shiny bling bling stuff. I can see the appeal of it all but often it's not money well spent. I bought a cheap axe/splitter. The handle shattered after 1 week. I bought a cheap replacement handle. Hahahaha... it snapped on it's first use. And that was with my wife swinging it. I then bought a friskars axe/splitter. It's good as new after 5 seasons of use.
Your reliance on a piece of gear also depends: the DVD players in the car are chinese. If they break on a long remote drive, "tough luck kids". I bought a GME UHF. If i break down somewhere remote I WILL want it to work perfectly.
FFIW, i bought a 2nd had Aussie camper with aussie canvas.
mike
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It is so easy for us all to over look the big picture......................we blame imports for local business folding or doing it tough and we jump up and down saying buy aussie etc etc but before "that import" arrived here it was another country's export, so before we cry No more imports !! Why don't we push for no more EXPORTS and that includes us, no more wool exports from NSW or Vic and no more wheat and sheep from WA and SA to the middle east, someone is going to have to go up to the top of QLD and the NT and tell all those cattle producers time to find a new job...maybe we would be able to employ a few of them cattle farmers to drive around all the major mine sites and break the bad news to the companies and their workers..and who wants to head over to Tassie and let them know they can stop cutting down tress for wood chip...
It is now a global economy......... :D
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It is now a global economy......... :D
Sure is... except I can't get a loan from an overseas bank at they lovely less that 2% interest rates. I can't buy from certain overseas companies because their distribution agreements prevent them from shipping overseas. I can't import my own chinese nanny or cleaner or cook and pay her in peanuts. I can't import cars from OS without the government making it nearly impossible (or expensive). I'm sure there are 100 other things I can't do.
So. Is it really a global economy?
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So. Is it really a global economy?
No one said it was fair, or level playing field global economy.... :D ;D
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I see that this thread is adding nothing other than to provide a soapbox to belt current world economic climate with no constructiveconclusion or value.
What people buy and where they source product from is a personal choice beyond anyone elses opinion or influence.
This thread is now locked.